Russia possesses the necessary skills and foundation to significantly expand its naval drone industry, according to Nikolay Patrushev, chairman of the Russian Maritime Board.
The senior presidential aide stated that while the sector has developed in a "rather one-sided" manner, the underlying capabilities are in place to achieve success with proper planning.
The comments underscore Moscow's continued focus on asymmetric maritime warfare, a strategy that has already disrupted commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
The deployment of unmanned surface vessels and underwater drones has forced insurers to raise premiums and rerouted cargo traffic, creating persistent headwinds for global trade logistics.
Patrushev's remarks follow previous declarations that the Russian Navy must be capable of delivering "decisive damage" to adversaries while safeguarding national interests.
The emphasis on unmanned systems suggests a shift toward lower-cost, high-volume threats that are difficult for traditional naval forces to counter, raising the stakes for regional security and maritime insurance markets.